Banned driver led cops on chase in his brand new car

Published:13:30Thursday 17 November 2016

A disqualified driver who bought two cars after his ban was driving in one of them when he was involved in a police chase.

William Forsyth (21) showed disregard for the law when he bought the cars and ignored his driving ban when he climbed into his silver Ford Focus and led police on a dangerous high speed chase in the early hours of the morning, a court heard.

Appearing from custody at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, Forsyth had previously pled guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance, dangerous driving and failure to stop for police on a number of streets, including Tamfourhill Road, Blinkbonny Road and Windsor Avenue, Falkirk on October 16.

Procurator fiscal depute Samantha Brown said when police officers on mobile patrol signalled Forsyth to stop he put the foot down and officers sped after him in pursuit.

He eventually came to a halt, but only after narrowly avoiding parked cars and bouncing over roundabouts and speed bumps.

Martin Morrow, defence solicitor, said: “When he was stopped by police he said there’s no point denying it. It was 3.30am and there was no one else around, but he accepts fully his driving was inappropriate.

“He has never been in custody before and is extremely motivated to not go back to prison. On this occasion he went to jail and this is spectacularly different to what happened to him before.”

Sheriff Craig Caldwell said: “You bought two cars in the period between being disqualified in August and being arrested for this latest offence in October. You have not really taken the orders of the court to heart.

“There is no doubt your attitude to using motor vehicles is a danger to other road users. You breached your disqualification having purchased two cars in that brief period and the manner of your driving was quite frankly appalling.”

Forsyth, 42 Maggie Woods Loan, Falkirk, was banned from driving for four years sentenced to nine months in prison backdated to October 17.